Garden Pollinators: Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus)

 

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): nectaring on garden onion

The third week in June is National Pollinator Week (https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week).   The word ‘pollinator’ conjures up images of Honey Bees for many people.  But the world of pollinators is far more complex.  Our Garden Pollinators series features some of the many interesting pollinators seen in Western Colorado gardens.  For more on pollinators in general – and tips for attracting pollinators to your garden – see: https://mothernaturesmontrosegarden.blogspot.com/2020/06/life-friendly-gardening-planning-for.html

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): love native Penstemons

One of the busiest pollinators currently in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden is the Golden Northern Bumble Bee.  This large, bright yellow bee is hard to miss.  You may have seen it in your own garden – or out in the wild.  Its range covers much of North America, with the exclusion of much of the southern United States, Alaska, and the northern parts of Canada. It can be seen in the wild, particularly in grasslands, as well as in cities and farmland.

The Golden Northern Bumble Bee was first identified by the Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius in 1798. [1]  Bombus fervidus is quite similar to Bombus californicus, which has an overlapping range in the western U.S.    Like all Bumble Bees, the species includes males (drones) and two types of females: queens and worker females.

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): characteristics

The Golden Northern Bumble Bee is a large bee, about ½ inch long for drones and workers and slightly more (over 3/4 inch) for the larger queens.  One’s first impression is of a large, very hairy, yellow Bumble Bee.  As seen above, the first four sections of the abdomen are yellow while the terminal segments are black.  The thorax is also mostly yellow, while the face and legs are black (below).  A black band is present between the base of wings.  The underside of the body is also mostly black in females, but may contain more yellow in males.  For more pictures of this species see reference 2.

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): identification

A new Queen mates once with a male drone in fall; then she overwinters by hibernating in the ground. Queens emerge as the weather warms in spring and forage for pollen and nectar (they need energy) and a place to start their nest.  Nests may be either above- or below-ground (more common). Leaving areas of your yard undisturbed is a great way to encourage nesting in your garden.  Nests are made of grass and dung. The nest site is usually within about 150 ft. of flower resources.  

After creating her nest, a Queen collects pollen, which she uses to create food for her initial brood. The honey she makes is stored in special wax compartments – the ‘honey pots’ – in the nest. The nest is composed of individual cells and the Queen lays an egg in each cell.  This initial brood has up to 10 individuals.  When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on honey until they metamorphose into adults.  Metamorphosis takes about 15 to 25 days.  The emerging adults are the smaller, female worker bees (below).

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): female worker

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus):Queen

The first generation of workers provide all the food needed for the next generation of offspring, as well as for the Queen. From this point on, the Queen just focuses on laying eggs. The workers must work very hard; in fact, some work so tirelessly that their lifespan is shortened to a month or less. [3] Some workers expand the nest and keep it tidy. But the workers primarily gather pollen to feed the developing brood. They also chew pollen and mix it with their saliva to make honey. [1] Each generation will be slightly larger than the preceding generation, due to increasing food resources.

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): Queen

The Queen is the only female that can produce female offspring (which only develop from fertilized eggs).  Later in the season, the Queen also lays unfertilized eggs; these develop into males (drones). Also late in the season, she lays eggs destined to become new Queens. These become larger than other females in the nest. Workers can also can lay unfertilized eggs, but these often don’t develop.  For more on the Bumble Bee life cycle see reference 4.

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): great pollinator

Because they are such hard workers, Golden Northern Bumble Bees are excellent pollinators.  Click on the videos below to see how rapidly they work:

Vimeo

Vimeo

Bombus fervidus can be seen foraging whenever the day is warm. They are busy from early morning until evening in our garden.  And they visit a great many flower species. They have long tongues, allowing them to access nectar in tubular-shaped flowers. And they don’t hesitate to climb right into a Penstemon flower. But they nectar at a wide range of types of flowers (below.  They tend to favor plants with many small flowers in our garden: the milkweeds, lilacs, spiraeas, onions, mints, etc.  But they really love the penstemons!  

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): on Apache Plume

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): on Narrowleaf Coneflower

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): on Garden Lilac

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): on Nettle-leaf Agastache

The Golden Northern Bumble Bee is a wonderful pollinator to have in your garden. It is easy to attract, as long as you have plenty of floral resources from early spring through fall.  The Bumble Bees are fascinating to observe – children of all ages enjoy watching them (including us elders). 

Like many Bumble Bees, Golden Northern numbers appear to be decreasing. Part of this decline is almost certainly due to loss of habitat.  Providing food and a place for Bumble Bees to raise their young is a simple way to be a good citizen. It will also guarantee more garden seeds for next year!  

So, plant some native plants and the Bumbles will come. Then upload your photos to Bumble Bee Watch: Bumble Bee Watch.

Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus): on Palmer's Penstamon

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1. Bombus fervidus - Wikipedia
2. Bombus fervidus - -- Discover Life
3. ADW: Bombus fervidus: INFORMATION (animaldiversity.org)
4. Life Cycle and Biology – Bumble Bees of Wisconsin – UW–Madison

 

 

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com

Plant of the Month (June) : Sulphur Buckwheat – Eriogonum umbellatum

 

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): Mother Nature's Montrose Garden

There’s nothing like a mass of yellow blossoms to brighten a garden. Our native Sulphur Buckwheat provides a welcome yellow-and-rust accent from May through the summer. That’s why it’s one of the perennial favorites in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden. The scientific name is pronounced air-ee-OG-oh-num   um-bell-LAY-tum.

The Sulphur Buckwheat is one of about forty Colorado native buckwheats, with three-quarters of them native to the drier Western Slope. Only one-quarter of the Colorado buckwheats are annuals; the majority are either perennials, sub-shrubs or shrubs.  Many make attractive additions to the home garden – if you can find them!

Eriogonum umbellatum is native to Western North America from British Columbia to California on the west coast, and east to Wyoming, Western Colorado and New Mexico. It typically grows in dry, open, often rocky places from sea level to alpine (to 13,000 ft). On the Western Slope, the several variants can be seen in sagebrush flats, on dry slopes, in mountain meadows and in pinyon-juniper, conifer and sub-alpine forests from about 5000 to 13,000 ft [1500-4000 m.] elevation. [1]

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): California variety

The wide elevation range makes this plant suitable for many gardens in the Western U.S.  Local native plant nurseries often sell local varieties, which often are best suited for regional conditions.   Many native buckwheats, including Eriogonum umbellatum, are also drought tolerant - a welcome bonus, as we transition to more water-wise gardens.

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): growth habit

Sulphur Buckwheat is quite variable across its range and varieties. It grows as a perennial or sub-shrub, with some variants less than 6 inches tall while others reach up to 3 ft.  Plants have a mounded or mat-like growth habit (above). We grow the ‘Kannah Creek’ type (Eriogonum umbellatum v. aureum ‘Kannah Creek’), a natural cultivar from the near us on the Western Slope.  It reaches 12-15" tall by 15-24" wide, with plants increasing in width with age.  This cultivar is available from several on-line vendors, including High Country Gardens and Annie’s Annuals.

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): foliage in basal rosette

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): leaf

The leaves of Sulphur Buckwheat grow in a loose basal rosette.  The leaves are simple, oblong-ovate or oblanceolate to elliptic to oval and may be hairy. The leaf margins are entire and may be wavy in some variants. Leaf color is medium green to gray-green (especially when dry). In colder climates, the leaves turn a rich red-brown with the frosts (below). Plants remain dormant during cold winters.  The species itself is quite cold tolerant and Colorado varieties can be grown in USDA Zones 4-8.

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): winter color

Growth rate for Eriogonum umbellatum is slow to moderate, with plants expanding to their mature size over several years (below). Plants have a long taproot, which makes them both drought tolerant and difficult to move when mature.  Plants can live to 20 years (perhaps slightly more) in the garden setting.

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): young plant

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): maturing plant

The flowers of Sulphur Buckwheat are spectacular.  The tiny flowers grow in umbels or compound umbels, on flowering stalks above the leaves (below). The flowers are small, sulphur-yellow when fresh, fading to rust orange after pollination (below). The flowers are perfect (both male and female parts in each flower) and the anthers (male, pollen-producing part) extend beyond the petals (this is common in the buckwheats).

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): flower color

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): close-up of flowers

The flowers are insect-pollinated, mostly by smaller native bees and flower flies in our garden.  But many other insects may visit this great habitat plant (below). The species is host (caterpillar) plant for the Acmon Blue (Icaricia acmon), Melissa Blue (Plebejus melissa), Blue Copper (Lycaena heteronea), Mormon Metalmark (Apodemia mormo), Square-spotted Blue (Euphilotes battoides), Dotted Blue (Euphilotes enoptes), and Lupine Blue (Icaricia lupini) butterflies. [2]   Birds eat the seeds, so resist the temptation to deadhead the flowering stalks.  They provide an attractive dark brown element to the summer/fall garden as well as providing bird habitat.

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): small native bee

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): insect habitat

Sulphur Buckwheat is easy to grow if you choose a variety native to your area and choose a suitable place in your garden. The best strategy is to try to mimic the  growing conditions for your local variety as much as possible. For example, ‘Kannath Creek’ grows in hot, sunny and rocky conditions. We’ve tried to provide those in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden by planting our plants in the hot, rocky areas around our pond. 

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): warm, sunny placement

Full sun to part-shade and well-drained soils are a must. Buckwheat plants like a lean soil, so no fertilizer needed (except if grown in a container; even then, a light yearly dose is all). Sulphur Buckwheat tolerates alkali soils (to pH 9.0) and saline soils, both of which are common in some parts of the West.

Don’t over-water this water-efficient plant.  Let the soil dry out between waterings. And don’t plant in an area that gets boggy in the spring.  If your conditions are not suitable, you can even grow Sulphur Buckwheat in a container. Just give it plenty of growing room for its taproot.

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum):
does well in deep containers

Given the right conditions, Eriogonum umbellatum is easy to grow. No pruning or other fussing required - just let the plant do its thing.  And that’s just one reason to include this plant in your garden.

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum):
in Western Colorado garden

Then there’s the distinctive flower hue that adds a pop of color to any spring-summer garden. If you like wildlife, this is a great habitat plant for many insects, including the native spring pollinators.  The neat growth habit makes it a nice accent plant.  We particularly like the low-growing varieties for bordering paths in a water-wise garden. Some gardeners use the shorter varieties as a water-wise ground cover.  It’s a perfect accent in a rock garden.  And an excellent choice for those dry, hard-to-water areas of the garden.

Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum): looks nice
 with other native flowers and grasses

So, look around your garden and see if you have the right spot for some Sulphur Buckwheat.  It adds a sense of place to any Western garden. You won’t regret selecting this well-behaved and lovely plant.

 

Sagebrush Checkerspot on Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum):

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1. Ackerfield, Jennifer: Flora of Colorado.  Brit Press, 2015
2. Sulphur Buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum (calscape.org)

 

 

For a gardening information sheet see: Gardening Sheet - Eriogonum umbellatum.pdf (slideshare.net)

For more pictures of this plant see:

For plant information sheets on other Western native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html

 

_________________________________________________________________

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com

Plant of the Month (May) : Golden Currant - Ribes aureum

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum):

Every garden needs a bit color in spring.  The locally native currant and gooseberry bushes (genus Ribes) are among the most reliable early bloomers in local gardens.   Our Golden Currant has bloomed now for several weeks and should provide a welcome spot of ‘gold’ for a few more weeks (see above). It’s scientific name, Ribes aureum, is pronounced

ri-BEEZ  OW-ree-um.

The genus Ribes is a member of the Currant family, the Grossulariaceae.  Some taxonomists have placed Ribes in the Saxifrage family, although its members differ significantly from Saxifragaceae.  Grossulariaceae is notable for woody deciduous shrubs that produce edible berries; the Saxifrages are herbaceous with dry fruits. The current consensus is that Currants and Saxifrages are sister species; and that the Currant family contains a single genus (Ribes), although some taxonomists place the gooseberries into a separate genus: Grossularia. We’ll have to see how that debate plays out.

The majority of Ribes species are native to the Northern Hemisphere (primarily North America and Asia, but also Europe); species from the Southern Hemisphere are limited to mountainous regions.  Gooseberry species have prickles (thorns) on their stems, while currants do not.  Currants and gooseberries are grown commercially for fruit and also used as ornamental shrubs.

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): spring buds

There are 10 (possibly 11) different Ribes species native to Colorado.  The western Slope is blessed with several natives, including Ribes aureum var. aureum (Golden Currant), Ribes cereum var. cereum (Wax Currant); Ribes coloradensis [aka Ribes laxiflorum] (Colorado Currant); Ribes interme var interme (Whitestem currant), Ribes lacustre (Prickly Currant), Ribes leptanthum (Trumpet Gooseberry), Ribes montigenum (Alpine Prickly Currant), and Ribes wolfii (Wolf’s Currant).  The Clove/Buffalo Currant (Ribes odoratum; sometimes also known as Ribes aureum var. villosum), native to the U.S. Midwest, is also grown in local gardens, often as the ‘Crandall’ cultivar.

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): in the wilds, Western Colorado.

Most Western Slope Ribes grow at elevations greater than 4000 ft. (sometimes much higher), usually along stream banks and on mountain slopes.   Our local Golden Currant, Ribes aureum var. aureum, grows from the west coast to the Rockies/Four Corners states, TX and ND, as well as Southern Canada (British Columbia to Quebec). It commonly grows along stream banks and other moist/seasonally moist places in shrubland, woodland and forest communities below 3000 ft (900 meters) elevation.   In Western Colorado, Ribes aureum var. aureum commonly grows from about 4000-8500 ft. elevation.

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): plant growth and development

Cultivated since the early 1800s , Golden currant is a woody shrub 6-8 ft (~2-2.5 m) tall with a spread of about the same.  Like all currants, its stems are ‘unarmed’.   Unlike some local species, Golden currant grows by adding new stems at the base and sprouting from rhizomes (underground stems).  A young plant will have only a few stems – mature plants will have many more (see above).  The actual stem characteristics depend greatly on the amount of light the plant receives (see below).  The stems are shorter, stockier and more erect in sunnier locations and more wand-like in shade.  

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): development in sun and shade

Golden currant is stress-deciduous, losing its leaves either during the hot, dry fall  or with the first cold snap.  The leaves are medium green with the three lobes typical of the genus (see photo above).   The leaves become red- or purple tinged – and may become entirely red – in fall.   In fact, they are a good source of fall color in local gardens. 

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): Fall color

The flowers of Golden currant are a bright, golden yellow – in fact the name ‘aureum’ refers to their golden color.  Plants flower early in the year – as early as  April in USDA Zone 6 and as early as January or february in warmer climates. The bloom season is about a month.  The flowers of Ribes aureum var. gracillimum often become more red as they age, an added benefit this time of year. 

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): Flowering plant

The flowers have five petals and are ‘perfect’ (have both male and female parts).  While individual flowers are small, the drooping floral clusters are quite showy (see above).   The flowers of var. gracillimum have either no/little scent or a mild sweet fragrance, and many early pollinators that visit them.  We’ve seen native bees (including Bumblebees), European honeybees and pollinator flies visiting our plants in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden.

 

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): flowers, close-up

In warmer climates, rhe most showy visitors (above) are Monarch butterflies and hummingbirds.   Plant any of our native Ribes if you want to attract hummingbirds.  They will fiercely protect their currants and gooseberries from other hummingbirds/insects – and even scold you if they think you’re getting too close!

The fruits of Golden currant are edible – in fact they are among the tastiest of the native currants.   Ripe berries are a translucent orange to red or even dark purple.  You’ll know fruits are ripe when the birds start gobbling them up.  Mockingbirds, Grossbeaks, Robins, Jays, Towhees and others love the fruits.  If you want some for your family’s use you’ll need to be vigilant.   We’ll feature some interesting currant recipes later in the year.

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): fruiting plant

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum):fruits

Golden currant is tolerant of a range of environmental conditions, making it a good candidate for gardens. It is hardy to USDA Zone 3 and tolerates even the warmth of Southern California. Plants tolerate full sun only in cooler climates.  In most gardens, morning or dappled sun is ideal, although this plant will thrive even in bright shade on the north side of walls or buildings. 

In general, native currants and gooseberries like well-drained soils.  That being said, many of us successfully grow Golden currant in quite heavy clay soils.   The trick is in the watering, and Ribes aureum var. gracillimum is among the most  tolerant of the native Ribes.    It also tolerates a wide range of soil pH, from slightly acid to alkali.

In a dry winter/spring you’ll be wise to water your Ribes deeply, as currants need their winter moisture.  Golden currant even tolerates winter flooding.  Choose a cool, overcast day and water early or late.  In late spring and summer, mature Ribes aureum var. gracillimum can survive on very little water.  We find they look best if given an occasional soaking – perhaps once a month or several times during the summer.  If the leaves are becoming red-tinged or drooping, it’s probably time to water.    Be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings; and overhead watering should be avoided.

  

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): water-wise once established

Like most Ribes, native or not, Golden currant is susceptible to fungal infections, particularly under warm, moist conditions.  Plants are an alternate host for white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) which infects white pines (those with needles in bundles of five). You can do several things to prevent fungal infections: 1) locate plants in areas with good air circulation; 2) don’t over-water, particularly during warm weather; 3) don’t plant near white pines.

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum):well-shaped plant

Golden currant is most productive – and looks its best – when pruned as the Native peoples learned to prune it.  Native Americans value native currants as a tasty treat; so in the past, clumps of Ribes aureum were actively managed.   Three-year-old branches are usually past their productive life - pruning out the oldest stems each year will keep your plants neat, healthy and productive.   Start pruning after the second year of growth.  Prune out the oldest 1/3 of the branches (down almost to the ground); then prune out the oldest 1/3 of branches when plants are dormant each fall thereafter.  It is usually easy to tell the oldest stems, even when they are dormant.

Golden current is often used as a shrub in local gardens.  It can be informally espaliered along a wall or fence.  It can even be used for an informal hedge or hedgerow (perhaps with suitable evergreen species).  It doesn’t need much care, so it’s a good choice for hard-to-reach slopes (roots hold the soil) and other ‘challenging’ areas. 

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): does well along walls and fences

As mentioned above, Golden currant berries are edible, raw or cooked.  They can be used to make pies, tarts, jams, jellies, syrups and cordials.  The flavor is very good.  If planting a native currant for fruit, this is the species to choose.  Native Californians used the inner bark, dried and pulverized or soaked in water, to treat skin infections and sores.

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): fruits make good eating!

In summary, Golden currant is a great native shrub that provides bright color early in the year, attracts hummingbirds, native pollinators and fruit-eating birds – and provides edible berries.  We hope you’ll consider planting it in your own backyard.

 

 

For a gardening information sheet see:http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-ribes-aureum

For more pictures of this plant see: 

For plant information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html

 

 

 

We welcome your comments (below).  You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com 

 Happy Holidays from Mother Nature's Arizona Garden.

Plant of the Month (November) : Western (Common) Yarrow – Achillea millefolium

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): good plant for fall

November can be interesting in Western Colorado; you just never know what the weather will bring.  Last year we’d already had several snows in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden by early November.  This year it’s been unusually warm, leading to a great display of seasonal color. Next year, who knows!

Planning an interesting November garden can be a challenge, given such unpredictable conditions. Some of our best choices are plants that are hardy (and therefore stay green longer into the cold season) but also add interest in their dormant state.  One such plant is our Plant of the Month, Western Yarrow or Achillea millefolia.  The scientific name is pronounced uh-KILL-ee-uh  mill-ee-FOH-lee um.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium):in wild
Uncompahgre Plateau, Western Colorado

Yarrow grows throughout the western U.S., from the West coast to the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. It grows in most of the western and central Colorado counties, but is uncommon or absent in the eastern Colorado plains.  You’ll find it in numerous plant communities from the coastal strand of the Pacific to high mountain meadows (to 13,000 ft. in Colorado) and coniferous forests.   In the wild it often grows in open meadows and grasslands along with native grasses, perennial herbs and bulbs (above).   It often forms a natural groundcover between/beneath taller plants.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium):growth habit

Yarrow is an herbaceous perennial that is 1-2 ft. tall and wide.  In the first year or two it forms a mounded clump (above). But Yarrow spreads horizontally via rhizomes (horizontal underground stems), forming larger clumps and potentially filling an area. 

 

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium):flowers

Yarrow is a member of the Sunflower family (Asteraceae), which makes sense when you look closely at the flowers.  The dense, rather flat flowering clusters are composed of many tiny ‘sunflowers’ (see above photos). Plants bloom in the warm season, often from spring into fall.  The flower color is usually white, but there are pastel pink or purple variants (below), which are the basis for several horticultural varieties (cultivars).  Plant breeders continue to develop cultivars with flower colors that range from red, rust and orange to gold and yellow.  Some of these are hybrids with European forms of Yarrow.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium):natural color

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): foliage

The foliage of Yarrow is pretty in its own right.  The leaves are so finely dissected that they appear feathery or fern-like.  They add an interesting texture and medium green color to the summer garden and are sweetly scented.   They also remain green well into autumn, making them useful in a garden transitioning to winter.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium):contrast in fall garden

Yarrow is an extremely adaptable garden perennial.  It can be grown in most soils (including alkali) and tolerates everything from full sun to part-shade.  You can even grow it in quite shady conditions, although it may not flower. 

Yarrow is quite drought tolerant due to a relatively deep, fibrous root system; but it will die back to the ground under very dry conditions.  It stays green from spring to fall with occasional water (Water Zone 2 or 3) or regular water (Zone 4; see https://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/water-zone-gardening). This makes it a good plant for transitions between regularly watered parts of the garden (like lawns) and drier areas. We particularly like Yarrow as a filler plant in newly planted water-wise gardens.  It provides needed color while trees and large shrubs are growing.  It becomes a welcome groundcover once the larger plants mature.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): easy-to-grow perennial

 

Yarrow is easy to grow.  We suggest that you taper off watering in fall, letting the plants die back a bit before winter.  Fall is a good time remove plants that have spread too far – you can be absolutely ruthless tearing it out.  You can also mow larger areas of Yarrow in fall or summer, if desired.  Be sure to set your mower height to high – 4-6 inches – so you don’t damage the plants.  After a short dormant period, plants will begin to grow again in the spring.  Spring is another good time to dig out unwanted plants.  You can re-pot these and give them away as gifts or use them in other parts of the garden.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): tiny seeds

Both the straight species and Yarrow cultivars are available as plants at most native plant nurseries. You can also grow Yarrow quite easily – and inexpensively – from seed, which is readily available from many native plant seed sources. Seeds can either be sown in prepared beds or grown up in containers for planting out. When seedling directly into the garden we suggest planting the seeds in late fall or winter, as seeds benefit from the cold exposure.  

We like to start seed in containers (washed, recycled nursery pots work fine), then transplanting the plants into the garden. Many seed companies give their seeds a cold pre-treatment before shipping. You can also store your seed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for better germination.  Seeds can be planted in outdoor containers from mid- to late spring through early-summer, depending on your climate. The seeds are small, so sprinkle them on the potting soil and lightly cover with additional potting soil.  Water them in - then be sure to keep the soil moist until seedlings develop. 

 

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): emerging seedlings

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): larger
 seedlings look more like Yarrow

Seeds will begin to germinate when the days start to warm, so don’t give up if your seeds don’t germinate right away.  The picture above shows newly germinated Yarrow seeds.  The seedlings will soon develop leaves that look more Yarrow-like.  In about 2 months they will be ready to transplant into the garden.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): in mixed planting

So how to use Yarrow in the garden? Let me count the ways! The flowers are lovely in the summer garden and make nice cut flowers. It’s a great filler plant around shrubs. You can plant it in a mixed prairie or meadow planting. Or include Yarrow in more traditional mixed perennial beds and cottage gardens. Its flowers and foliage add welcome interest to the fall and winter garden.  That’s one good reason to not cut the plants back in fall. You be glad you waited when you see the contrast between dried seed heads and winter snow.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): many traditional uses

Yarrow has many traditional uses.  The flowers can be used to make an aromatic tea.  Young leaves can be included in a salad – they are tart, so use sparingly.  The entire plant can be used as a natural dye plant, producing shades of yellows and greens.   The dried flowers, foliage and seeds are sweetly scented and can be including in fragrant potpourri and sachets.  They are said to repel moths, houseflies and ants.  

Yarrow has a long history of use as a medicinal plant.  The leaves are effective at stopping the bleeding from minor cuts and scratches.   The whole plant makes a variety of plant chemicals known to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal qualities.   As with any herbal medicine, you should be sure to learn about the precautions associated with it.  This plant should be used sparingly, as allergies can develop.   

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): natural groundcover

Yarrow is a natural groundcover and can literally fill an area.  This can be either good or bad, depending on your needs.  Yarrow makes a wonderful groundcover, particularly in those difficult areas under trees that range from quite sunny to quite shady. It also works well on those hard-to-maintain slopes.  Yarrow can be cut back – even mowed occasionally to 4-6 inches – to keep it as a non-flowering groundcover. Or you can mow some areas and leave others to flower.  If you don’t want Yarrow to spread, it does well in pots/containers and planters if you divide it every other year. 

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): good choice
 for an edibles garden

Old time gardeners included Yarrow in or around their edibles gardens. Yarrow is one of the best native plants for attracting beneficial insects and repelling ‘undesirables’.   This is one reason why Yarrow was routinely planted – or left as a natural plant – around vegetable gardens and orchards in the past.   Plant Yarrow near your vegetable garden and you’ll begin to see the benefits right away.   Yarrow is also said to intensify the flavors of herbs planted near it.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): attracts
 small native pollinators

Yarrow attracts some the smaller native pollinators – pollinator flies, small native bees and others.  It occupies a habitat niche often not filled by other flowering plants.  Plant it next to a seating area to watch these small visitors.  The seeds of Yarrow provide food for winter birds. This is another reason to leave the plants unpruned until spring.

Western (Common) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): at home
 in medicinal garden

In summary, Yarrow is a great native plant for home gardens, large and small. It’s not only attractive but useful – a boon for those with small gardens. And it can be used as a lawn substitute or groundcover in larger gardens.  There must be a spot, if only in a container, for some Yarrow in your garden.

 

For a gardening information sheet see: Garden sheet achillea millefolium (slideshare.net)

For more pictures of this plant see: https://www.slideshare.net/ConstanceVadheim/achillea-millefolia-web-show-250647951

For plant information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html

 

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